I took the 4am start because I am doing the ACE320 and want to be back before all the ACE200 and ACE250 riders on the 6:20am starts drink the Bright Brewery Dry!If the weather is going to be stinking hot, I prefer to get in a good five hours of riding before the sun gets too high in the sky. The early start doesn't bother me, it's actually quite peaceful riding at 4am I'm heading down to Bright on Saturday, so I will be doing a few final training rides prior to the main event. Legs are fresh, and I am just getting over a few days of sickness earlier this week, so I should be all set.

My 2 previous visits to the ace I haven't stayed for after ride "recovery drinks" and entertainment. I may this time as the family will be away on a basketball tournament.I see they have bike racks set up.How safe is it to leave the bike there whilst indulging in a drink or 3?Recommended or no?I could just ride back to Porepunkah and bring the mighty Ribble back with a lock.

warthog1 wrote:My 2 previous visits to the ace I haven't stayed for after ride "recovery drinks" and entertainment. I may this time as the family will be away on a basketball tournament.I see they have bike racks set up.How safe is it to leave the bike there whilst indulging in a drink or 3?Recommended or no?I could just ride back to Porepunkah and bring the mighty Ribble back with a lock.

warthog1 wrote:+1I haven't ridden further than 100km in about 18 months. I'll be pacing myself.

I feel overcooked by comparison....but you'll still beat me home.

I'll be playing the 'tortoise' game.

I did 10k km last year just no long rides. Plenty in the ~100km range though.I did the ACE320 in 2015 with similar "preparation"I didn't enjoy that. Mt Buffalo was not much more than walking pace The tortoise game sounds like a valid plan. In 2015 I went up Hotham on the back of the fast group (didn't even look like pulling a turn however). That cooked me for the whole ride.

At the moment the Elders weather site has it at 37c on Saturday so it might end up a shorter than expected ride for some

Thanks for the reminder about the extreme heat policy.

BoM still has it at 33C for Bright on Satuday. But 6-7 days out, forecasts can indeed float a few degrees. Todays temp (Monday) in Bright is forecast 35C, but currently 27.6 (2.20pm), which might make climbing Back o'Falls OK.

Fire risk will depend on forecast winds for the day.

At this stage, I am keeping a closer eye on the minimum temps (ACE 250 4am start) - and quite what combination of light or heavy weight arm warmers and/or wind gilet I will need.

That page doesn't say the policy uses Bright's weather forecast. It just says "If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater, then the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will not operate".

I just emailed the organisers and the ride director replied on Monday afternoon as follows:

"We use the Bureau of Meteorology, Bright forecast, which is not available on the web...We actually have one of their meteorologists make this available to us each year and he is in Bright at the time of the event and gives a full weather briefing to all the volunteers the day before.Yesterday, the Bright forecast for next Saturday was 36. Haven't heard today, but will ask for an update on Wednesday."

Based on that, the Bright forecast seems quite close to the Wangaratta forecast and the Wangaratta forecast is available on the internet.

Wangaratta is looking at 37 on Sat now.38 Sun and 41 Mon.It is creeping up. I hope it doesn't go up any further.Won't be needing any arm or leg warmers that's for sure. Jersey, knicks, cycling cap and sunscreen for me.

That page doesn't say the policy uses Bright's weather forecast. It just says "If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater, then the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will not operate".

?? That's not what it says, it says

"If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater in Bright, then riders in the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will be asked to ride any one the other distances on offer. ACE250 0400 & Ultimate 320km 0400 riders will be offered a Bright-Omeo-Bright event" (my emphasis).

Perhaps this was just added today, but it was there when I posted earlier.

That page doesn't say the policy uses Bright's weather forecast. It just says "If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater, then the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will not operate".

?? That's not what it says, it says

"If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater in Bright, then riders in the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will be asked to ride any one the other distances on offer. ACE250 0400 & Ultimate 320km 0400 riders will be offered a Bright-Omeo-Bright event" (my emphasis).

Perhaps this was just added today, but it was there when I posted earlier.

gavin_rider wrote:I just emailed the organisers and the ride director replied on Monday afternoon as follows:

"We use the Bureau of Meteorology, Bright forecast, which is not available on the web...We actually have one of their meteorologists make this available to us each year and he is in Bright at the time of the event and gives a full weather briefing to all the volunteers the day before.Yesterday, the Bright forecast for next Saturday was 36. Haven't heard today, but will ask for an update on Wednesday."

Based on that, the Bright forecast seems quite close to the Wangaratta forecast and the Wangaratta forecast is available on the internet.

Bright is about 150m higher in elevation than Wangaratta, so you could expect Bright to be close to 1 degree cooler. But weather patterns would be similar (although the narrow valleys and high surrounding mountains can produce much more localised effects when a rain front rolls in.

"Just confirming all looks ok for Saturday at this stage. Weak low pressure trough over the NE that may produce a late PM storm. Otherwise dry. Highest temperature low 30's around Bright. Omeo 30c. 20c up the mountains. The TAFCO weather station at Porepunkah, will give a good idea of the temp in Bright"

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